Tom Uttech Returns to Folliard Gallery

Art Preview

On Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. Tom Uttech arrives at Tory Folliard Gallery to kick off his
eighth solo exhibition there, “Tom Uttech: Boreal Conversations.” The exhibit
features the artist’s signature oil and linen canvases. Uttech’s solitary,
northern landscapes harbor evergreen forests and native animals. Fortunately
for those who admire and collect Uttech’s paintings, the magical scenes
continue to be featured in handmade frames constructed and embellished by
Uttech.

These two-dozen new works carry Uttech’s original
vision forward, perhaps into a foreboding future. The fresh images capture less
densely populated landscapes than previously seen, now often inhabited by a
lone, ghostly white bear, moose or wolf. The pine trees tangle in curious
curves, many with more dead branches than alive. Mist among clouded skies and
water makes for a moody presence. Is Uttech creating a portrait of an evolving
environment in which this territory will eventually disappear?

The exhibit’s title speaks to a conversation
regarding the boreal areas, a name derived from Boreas, Greek god of the north
wind, who mythically reigns over these fragile ecosystems. Uttech’s
landscapes—10 small oils along with several large ones and pastels drawn and
placed over prints—arouse mystical and meditative feelings. The immense
paintings are extremely powerful while the diminutive images draw in the eye
and soul. New viewers of Uttech’s work will marvel at the enigmatic qualities
of these paintings, and those familiar with the artist will applaud him for
challenging himself to add these elusive landscapes to his artistic journey.

Art
Happenings“Watershed: Art, Activism & Community
Engagement”

UW-Milwaukee Union Art Gallery

2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.

This exhibition presents themes of controversy over
water consumption and control in Milwaukee, the Great Lakes region and beyond.
To get the community involved, the Union Art Gallery features talks by
Milwaukee-based artists every Thursday in February at 7 p.m.
“In and Out of the Box”

Almont Gallery

342 W. Main St., Waukesha

Three artists—Jeffrey Homar, Lynn Gaffey and Connie
Pelzak—explore the many facets and forms of color in an exhibition that opens
Feb. 16.